SOUTH AMERICA
- everything you need to know
South America is one of the world’s most adventurous and diverse backpacking regions.
In this guide you’ll find practical tips, realistic travel costs, safety advice, route ideas, what to pack, visa information and more - everything you need to plan a confident trip.
From the Andes and the Amazon to vibrant cities and remote landscapes, this page works whether you have 2 weeks or 2 months.
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WHY TRAVEL SOUTH AMERICA?
✅ Big adventure and iconic landscapes
✅ Incredible mix of mountains, jungles, deserts, cities and beaches
✅ Rich culture, history and world-famous landmarks
Amazing food, music and nightlife
✅ A legendary backpacker trail with unforgettable experiences
South America is a must visit!
For many travellers, it’s where backpacking becomes a real adventure - and for plenty of people, it ends up being their favourite continent to explore.
From towering mountains and jungle treks to colourful cities, salt flats and world-famous landmarks. The continent delivers unforgettable experiences at every turn.
Add in vibrant nightlife, incredible local food, passionate culture and landscapes that change dramatically from one country to the next - it’s easy to see why travellers fall in love with it.
If you want big adventure, epic scenery, rich culture and memories that genuinely last a lifetime - South America is hard to beat.
NOT SURE WHERE TO GO?
This will help you find your travel style and pick which countries to visit!
1. BEST FOR FIRST TIMERS
Peru, Colombia, Chile, Argentina
These countries offer the perfect introduction to South America, with iconic sights, well-travelled routes and plenty of backpacker infrastructure.
3. BUDGET FRIENDLY
Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay
Stretch your travel budget further in these countries where accommodation, food and transport are generally cheaper.
2. EPIC NATURE & ADVENTURE
Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador
From towering mountains and jungle treks to deserts and glaciers, these destinations are perfect for travellers chasing unforgettable landscapes and outdoor adventure.
4. MODERN & EASY TRANSPORT
Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil
These countries have strong infrastructure, reliable transport and modern cities, making travel smoother and easier to navigate.
5. LESS TRAVELLED AND NICHE
Paraguay, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela
For travellers who want to go beyond the typical backpacker trail and experience a more off-the-beaten-path side of South America.
IS SOUTH AMERICA SAFE?
Yes - South America can be a safe and incredibly rewarding place to travel, but it generally requires a bit more awareness and planning than some other regions.
Violent crime against travellers is uncommon, but petty theft such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and phone theft can happen in busy cities and tourist areas.
Most problems travellers encounter are opportunistic rather than targeted.
Using common sense - like avoiding empty streets at night, not displaying valuables, and using trusted transport - greatly reduces risk.
Nature and transport can sometimes pose bigger risks than crime, especially with long bus journeys, mountain roads, and adventurous activities.
Many backpackers travel across South America every year without major issues.
👉 Read our full South America Safety Guide to learn how to stay safe and travel confidently.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED?
HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED?
South America is generally affordable to travel, though costs vary depending on the country and travel style.
Most backpackers spend £30–£60 per day, with cheaper destinations like Bolivia and Peru and higher costs in places like Chile, Argentina and Brazil.
Activities such as Machu Picchu, the Galápagos Islands, and multi-day treks can increase your budget, but everyday travel (hostels, buses and local food) remains very reasonable.
👉 See our full South America Costs Guide for daily budgets, country breakdowns and money tips.
IS SOUTH AMERICA GOOD FOR SOLO TRAVEL?
Yes - South America is a fantastic region for solo travel.
It has well-established backpacker routes, social hostels and popular group activities that make it easy to meet other travellers.
Many people travel the same routes through places like Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Brazil, so you’ll often run into the same travellers along the way.
👉 Read our Solo Travel Guide for tips on meeting people and travelling safely in South America.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO?
South America can be visited year-round, but the best time depends on the region.
The dry season (May to October) is usually the best time for destinations like Peru, Bolivia and the Andes, while December to March is warmer and great for places such as Patagonia and southern Chile/Argentina.
Because the continent is so large, weather varies a lot between regions.
👉 See our When to Travel Guide for the best months to visit each country in South America.
HOW DO YOU GET FROM PLACE TO PLACE?
Travelling around South America is relatively easy, though distances are much larger than in many other regions.
Most travellers get around using long-distance buses, domestic flights and occasional trains, with buses being the most common and affordable option between cities.
Because journeys can be long, many people mix overnight buses with flights for bigger distances.
You don’t need to plan everything in advance, but having a rough route helps avoid backtracking and long travel days.
👉 See our South America Travel Routes for sample routes based on trip length.